Circuit maker and breaker



Sept. 11, 1934.

INVENTOR C'a Z J Anderson. BY K M A TTORNE Y Sept. 11, 1934. c. J. ANDERSON CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Filed Sept. 18, 1931 2 SheetsSheet 2 55 JNsumr/M IIIII HHH INVENTOR BY Car! JAnderson.

A TTORNEY Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE Carl J. Anderson, Chicago, 111., assignor to O. J. Anderson & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 18, 1931, Serial No. 563,577

Claims.

The present invention relates in general to electrical circuit makers and breakers and more particularly to a special form of this device, primarily adapted for the switching of electrical 5 circuits to control electrical equipment.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved switching device which may be employed to control a plurality of circuits.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is compact, easily manufactured and which may be controlled from a drum or cam of a floor selector, or other controlling device in an electrical control system.

Another object is to provide a switching device of this character which is particularly adapted to simplify the electrical circuits and equipment in an elevator signalling and control system.

Another object is to provide a switching device of this character which may be readily adapted to control and increase the number of circuits, depending upon the type of electrical control system employed.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which may be easily maintained, com- 2o pactly mounted, and positively operated.

Still another object is to provide an improved switching device that will reduce the number of controlling relays ordinarily necessary in an electrical control system.

There are other objects of my invention which, together with the foregoing, will be described in the detailed specification that is to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

The present invention is particularly adapted to co-operate with the electrical control system disclosed in the co-pending application of John Podosin, Serial No. 440,044, filed March 29, 1930. This application discloses the functioning of my improved switching device in conjunction with an electrical elevator control system, and discloses the manner in which its use simplifies the control circuits, and reference is hereby made to that application.

In elevator control systems with which my improved switching device is adapted to function, in addition to the usual hoisting equipment, electrical circuits and control equipment are provided for the purpose of controlling the elevator. Signalling devices and control circuits are also employed for indicating the travel of an elevator to waiting passengers, and either to control the elevator automatically or indicate the desire of the passenger to the elevator operator. In order to bring about proper functioning of these signalling and control circuits, it is customary to provide an electrical switching device, designated in this class of work as a floor selector, driven from the hoisting equipment in such manner as to have a particular position for each floor in the 0 building that the elevator is designed to stop at. The number of circuits controlled by these floor selectors depends upon the number of floors in the building and also upon the type of hoisting equipment. The number of speeds that the hoisting equipment is capable of is another governing factor.

My improved switching device may be readily employed to meet the requirements mentioned and, as before stated, reduce the complexity of electrical controlling signalling circuits ordinarily required.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan of my improved floor selecting device adapted for a single speed elevator con- 75, trol system in a building in which the elevator is required to stop at three landings;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial plan of a slightly modified 0. form of selecting device for a two-speed elevator installation;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 5 is a detailed plan of the contact structure employed in my improved switching device; and

Fig. 6 is a medial cross section thereof taken along the line 66 of Fig. 5.

It will, of course, be obvious that while I have stated my improved switching device is adapted to function with the electrical control equipment of the above cited co-pending application of John Podosin, that this is merely by way of illustration and that my improved switching device is capable of wide, general use. While I have shown the device in the drawings and so described it in connection with an elevator control system employing a floor selector, it is capable of wide, general application and may be employed wherever drum controllers or cam operated switches are necessary, as well as in other places which will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, like reference characters apply to similar parts throughout.

While I have illustrated in Fig. 1 a plurality of my improved switching devices and a plurality of cams mounted upon a single shaft, it will be understood that this is a mere adaptation of my invention to a floor selector, as in a single speed elevator control system for three landings.

My improved switching devices are adapted to be controlled by cams suitably secured to a shaft 51, rotatable in bearings 52 in the supporting frame 53. The supporting frame 53 is formed from suitable metal shapes. The shaft 51 is connected to the elevator machine insuch manner as to have a corresponding position to the elevator cab at all times. One revolution of the shaft 51 indicates a complete travel of'the elevator between its limits.

There is one cam 50 for each "of theswitching devices 54. There are two camswith associated switches 54 for each intermediate floor landing and one cam and associated switch for each terminal floor. The periphery of .eachof the cams 50 is divided into four cam surfacesythe largest diameter 55 being assigned to place the associated switch 54 in the normal position shown in Fig. 2 "before the elevator reaches the floor, whether i traveling in an up :or down direction. The next cam surface .56 permits the operating .lever of the switch-to move a-certain extent, which movement occurs just before the associated floor is -reached,=ar1d is effective to prepare certain control circuits.

.59 carrying a roller'60 in a slot 61 and adapted to "bear against the periphery of the cam'50.

"The lever arm '59 is suitably pivoted'in a bracket 62 afiixed in any desired mannerto an in'sulating' base 63. The insulating base 63 is-supported in an angle iron frame 64 and suitably secured thereto. I The bracket- 62 is adapted to form a seat for a compression spring 65 that fits aga'instan extension 66-of the lever 59. The lever 59 is held in suitable position by being pivoted at 67 in the upstanding legs of the bracket 62. A connecting link 68 is pivotally secured to the other :end of the lever arm 59 and serves to connect the lever arm 59 to the operatingmember 69 :of the switch54.

' The operating member *69 is pivoted at '70 on a .bracket 71suitably secured to the base 63. The :operatingmember 69 is of generally angular shape and iis ;.provided with an extension "72. This extension ,has a small projecting bracket .73 formed .integral therewith carrying an insulating roller 74 rotatably mounted therein. The operating member .69. is provided with a further extension -75 that provides a seat for a compression spring 76 that presses against an extension 757 of an operating member 78 that is pivotedon the oper- 'ating member 69 at '79. An extension of the operating member .78 carries suitable contact making members 80 and 81. The contact making members 80 and 81 are removably secured'to the operating member 78in-any desired manner and are preferably made from carbon or other suitable material.

" Connecting leads 82 and 83 are employed to makeelectrical connections to terminals 84 and 85, suitably secured in'the base 63.

The contact making members 80 and 31 are adapted to be normally in engagement with con-' tact members 86 and 87, suitably secured to the base 63. The detailed construction of the contact members is shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The contact member proper comprises a carbon, cylindrically-shaped contact 88, resiliently held in a metal cup 89 against 'a compression spring 90 by a pin 91 fitting into slots 92 in the metal cup 89. The pin 91 penetrates the contact .88 and constitutes a terminal or a flexible electrical connection 93, the other end of which is secured to an extension 94: of the cup 89. A bolt or stud 95 is threaded into the cup or holder 89 and is, provided with threads 96 at its lower end. The bolt =95ris adapted to penetrate an opening 97 in the base 63, and to be firmly fixed thereto by a nut 98. The stud orbolt 95 constitutes the electricalterminal of the contact member.

All contact members are constructed alike. A contact member .99, of the same construction as that described, is removablymounted on the base plate 63in aposition adjacent the operating cam 50 and is adapted to beengaged by a contact making memberiIOO that is pivoted at 101 on a bracket 102 suitably affixed to the base plate 63. A comxpressionspring' 103serves to maintain the contact making member .106 :out of. engagement with the contact member .99. The contact making row :meniber is provided with an extension 104 to which is rotatably secured an insulating roller 1'05 adapted to engage the extension '72 of the operating arm 69. The roller 74. of the operating arm $69 is adapted to engage a contact making member 106 that is .pivoted at the point 107 on a bracket "1'08 suitably affixed to the base -63 by a bolt '109 which constitutes-the electrical terminal .of the contact making member 106. The contact snaking member "106 is provided with two contacts 110 and 111 which are adapted to engage contact members 11 2 and 113 respectively. The contact members 112 and 113 are of the same construction asdescribed, and are suitably mounted upon the base 63. A compression spring 114 serves'to bring'the con-tactlll into engagement the-roller 60 is riding either about the segment of the cam 50 which has the largest diameter, or that segment 58 whic'h'has the smallest diameter. If it is riding about the surface having the largest diameter, the associated switch 5& is effective tobr'ing about "the stopping of the elevator at the associated floor. If it is riding about the segment 58, having the smallest diameter, the associated switch 54 is effective to prepare certain registering circuits, the stopping of the car being brought about by another switch 54 associated "l with that floor. In the first position of the cam, 50, the contacts of the switch 54 are in the position shown in Fig. 2. In the second instance, the roller "60 is riding in the segment 58 and only the B n g m mber 106 is operated to'bring the contact 110 into engagement with the contact member 112.

Let us assume that the switch 54 of Fig. 2 is going to bring about the stopping of the elevator at the floor with which it is associated. In this instance the roller 60 is riding about the segment of the cam 50 which has the largest diameter. As the elevator car approaches the floor, and about a foot before it reaches it, the roller 60 rides into the lower portion of the cam surface 56, thereby permitting the lever 59 to move downwards under the influence of the compression spring 65. The link 68 is thus shifted upwards and the operating arm 69 is rotated about its pivot 70 so that the extension "12 is brought into contact with the roller 105. Further movement of the extension 72 is required to bring the contact making member 100 into engagement with the contact member 99. By reason of the spring connection 96, the operating arm 78 still maintains the contact making members 80 and 81 in engagement with the contact making members 86 and 87. In this position of the switch 5 1, a circuit is made up for stopping the elevator car. When the floor is reached, the roller 60 falls lower in the cam 50, in engagement with the segment 57, thereby bringing about further turning movement of the lever 59 about its pivot 67, causing the operating member 69 to rotate about its pivot and bring the contact making member 190 into engagement with the contact member 99. The movement of the operating member 69 is sufficient in this instance, however, to ride be-- yond the roller 105, permitting the contacts 109 and 99 to open and bringing the roller 7 1 into engagement with the contact arm 106, and also opening the contacts 111 and 113. The contacts 110 and 112 are not yet closed, further movement of the operating arm 69 being required. The

' movement of the operating arm 69 permits the movement of the operating member 69, forcing the roller '74 against the arm 106 to bring the contacts 110 and 112 into engagement. This may prepare a circuit for registering the call from the associated floor. At the terminal floors the associated cams 50 do not have to be formed with the cam section 58, since the elevator does not travel past the terminal floors in either direction. The contacts of the switches 54 do not return to normal position until the elevator has reversed its travel and is in position before the floor associated with the switch 5 1.

It will be seen that my improved switching mechanism is particularly adapted for the controlling or a plurality of circuits in a simple and reliable manner.

While I have described this operation in connection with an elevator system, it will be obvious that it may be adapted to any electrical control system and will do away with a large number of switches and reduce the amount of control equipment required.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate my improved selecting device applied to an elevator control system requiring the operation of more circuits, such as would be necessary in a two-speed elevator. The

' construction and operation of the switch shown in 3 and 4 is identically the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that the operating arm 72- is provided with another extension 150 carrying contact making members 151 and 152 adapted to engage contact members 153 and 154 mounted upon the base 63. Furthermore, the contact member 100 is provided with an extension 155 carrying a contact member to engage the contact member 156 mounted upon the base 63. These additional contacts are employed to control the two-speed elevator equipt However, they may be advantageously yed in electrical control systems for controlling other circuits.

The angle of the extension 150 may be modified so that contacts 151 and 154, and 152 and 153 may be opened during any predetermined position of the cam 50. In like manner other contacts and contact making members may be mounted upon the base, as desired, to take care of any number of circuits, and these circuits may be closed at any particular time. Furthermore, a plurality of these switches may be mounted side by side and the cams cut differently to solve any control problem or electrical switching problem that may be encountered. A plurality of these switches 5% may be mounted upon a single slate base in close abutting relation and take but very little space. Similarly associated controlling cams are compactly mounted upon a shaft.

While I have described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am aware that many changes, modifications and deviations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope or my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric switch comprisin a base, a pair of contact members mount-ed adjacent to one end of said base, a co-operating contact making member associated with each contact member, a bracket mounted on said base adjacent to each of said contact members and adapted to support each of said contact making members, another bracket mounted on said. base having an operating arm pivoted thereon, an extension for said operating arm in contact with an extension of one of said contact making members, a roller mounted upon the extension of said operating arm and adapted to contact the other of said contact making members, an operating lever pivoted at one end of the said base and a link connecting said operating lever and member.

2. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a base, a contact making member and associated contact member mounted on said base, an operating arm for said switch mechanism mounted on one end of said base, an angular shaped operating member pivotally supported on said base and adapted to engage said contact making member, a connection between said angular arm and said pivoted lever, 21. contact making member mounted on said arm and a cooperating contact member mounted on said base.

3. An electrical switching i i chanism comprising a base, a contact member and associated contact making member mounted at each end of said base, an operating member for operating one or" said contact making members, a second operating member for operating the other of said contact making members, and a resilient connection between said operating members.

i. In an electrical switching mechanism the combination of a base, a contact member and associated contact making member mounted on K ll said base, an operating arm pivotally supported on the base and adapted during one portion of its path of movement in one direction to bring said contact making member into engagement 'ber and associated contact member mounted on said base, a-pair of contact members and associated contact making members mounted on said base, an operating arm pivotally supported upon said base, means for maintaining one contact making member in engagement with its associated contact member, and means operative as a result of pivotal movement of said operating memberto disengage the normally engaged contact members and means operative as a result of further pivotal movement of said operating member to bring the remaining contact members into engagement and a rotatable cam for operating said arm during its movement.

6. In an electrical switching mechanism the combination of a base, a plurality of switches mounted on said base, an operating arm having a plurality of positions and adapted to selectively operate said switches, a disc-like member mounted adjacent said operating member and adapted to operate it into its positions, said disc-like member having a plurality of cam surfaces.

7. An electrical switch comprising a base, each switch consisting of an independent contact member and associated contact making member, a plurality of switches mounted on said base, an operating arm pivotally mounted on said base 8. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a base, a contact member and associated contact making member mounted at each end ofsaid base, an operating member for operating one of said contact making members, a second operating member foroperating the other of said contact making members, a resilient connection between said operating members, and cam means for operating said operating members.

9. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a base, a contact member and associated contact making member mounted at each end of said base, an operating member for operating one of said contact making members, a second operating member for operating the other of said contact making members, a resilient connection between said operating members, cam means for operating said operating members and a pivoted operating lever for bringing about the operation of said operatinggmembers.

10. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a base, a contact member and associated contact making member mounted at each end of said base, an operating member for operating one of said contact making members, a second operating member for operating the other of said contact making members, a resilient connection between said operating members, cam means for operating said operating members, apivoted operating lever for bringing about the operation of said operating members and cam means for operating said lever.

CARL J. ANDERSON. 

